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Prosecutor Greg Rossman recounted the moments when Miami Subs founder and casino operator Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis was ambushed as the trial of two men charged in his 2001 murder finally began Monday. Anthony "Big Tony" Moscatiello, 75, and Anthony "Little Tony" Ferrari, 56, face first-degree murder charges in the death of Boulis and have pleaded not guilty. Ferrari's defense attorney, Chris Grillo, fired back at Rossman's opening statement as he delivered his own. (Published Monday, Sep 30, 2013)

Updated at 6:07 PM EST on Monday, Sep 30, 2013

A prosecutor recounted the moments when Miami Subs founder and casino operator Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis was ambushed as the trial of two men charged in his 2001 murder finally began Monday.

Boulis was shot to death inside his car in Fort Lauderdale while leaving work.

Witness Tells of "Hit" in Gus Boulis Murder Case

There was more dramatic testimony Wednesday in a Broward courtroom in the Gus Boulis murder case. Adam Kidan, a former business associate of Boulis, said that after Boulis threatened to kill him, he hired alleged Mobster Anthony "Big Tony" Moscatiello for protection. "The job that I was looking for was to put the word out in the community that no one would attempt to harm me," Kidan said. Kidan said that a few days after Boulis was found shot to death in his car, Moscatiello summoned him to a meeting at the Fontainebleau hotel and told him that he ordered the hit. Moscatiello and Anthony "Little Tony" Ferrari and charged with conspiracy to murder Boulis. Wednesday?s hearing was part of an effort by the state to have Moscatiello's bond revoked and get him back behind bars until his trial begins. (Published Saturday, Jan 31, 2015)

"As he is blocked in, a car pulls up. He sees a hand come out of the driver's side and he hears gunshots and he ducks," prosecutor Greg Rossman said in opening statements, citing a witness to the crime. "As those gunshots rang out, the car in front of Mr. Boulis leaves."

"I was told a long time ago to keep your friends close and your enemies closer," said James "Pudgy" Fiorillo from the witness stand, perhaps inadvertently quoting from the movie classic, "The Godfather Part II." Fiorillo was once friends with his former codefendants, Anthony "Big Tony" Moscatiello and Anthony "Little Tony" Ferrari. They were all charged with conspiracy to murder Boulis, who was shot 11 years ago, but Fiorillo recently took a plea deal to avoid the death penalty and is now testifying for the state. He's telling what he knows about the murder of Boulis, who founded the Miami Subs restaurant chain and once owned the SunCruz casino fleet. Fiorillo testified that Moscatiello masterminded the crime, while he, Ferrarri, and others did the groundwork. The judge will decide Wednesday whether to revoke Moscatiello's bond. First she will hear testimony from Adam Kidan, the former business associate of Boulis. (Published Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012)

Anthony "Big Tony" Moscatiello, 75, and Anthony "Little Tony" Ferrari, 56, face first-degree murder charges in the death of Boulis. Both have pleaded not guilty.

After the state presented its opening statements, the defense asked for a mistrial, arguing that Rossman brought up two pieces of evidence that the court previously decided would not be talked about. Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes denied the motion.

Moscatiello and Ferrari are accused of orchestrating a hit against Boulis amidst a power struggle over SunCruz Casinos. Former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a partner pleaded guilty to fraud in purchasing SunCruz and did prison time.

Moscatiello and Ferrari used to work with Boulis – who opened the first Miami Subs and started the very profitable SunCruz casino boat fleet.

The suspect authorities identified as the gunman in the murder, John Gurino, was shot and killed in a Boca Raton deli.

Ferrari's bodyguard, who the state said was approached in a murder for hire plot, is also expected to testify.

"We got a problem with the SunCruz business," Rossman said, replaying and paraphrasing events in what he said was the murder planning. "We have a problem with the owners and we need to take him out."

Ferrari's defense attorney, Chris Grillo, fired back in his opening. He said, "We don't have to prove anything and the state doesn't have to prove motive, but motive is always interesting to think about. Motive is the reason people do things."

As to that question of motive, Grillo said Ferrari didn't have a reason to want Boulis dead. He said many of the state's witnesses are convicted felons and drug users, and because of that, their credibility should be questioned. Grillo also added there is no evidence linking the two defendants to the crime.

The jury will hear a lot more from both sides during the trial, which may last as long as a month.